Electrophysiology

The cardiac subspecialty of electrophysiology (EP) diagnoses and treats arrhythmias. This includes use of pacemakers to treat bradycardia, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) for tachycardia, heart failure and patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest, and cardiac ablation treatments to treat heart rhythm disorders.

A TAVR procedure being performed at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. These structural heart procedures require a team approach.

Treating AFib patients with TAVR still linked to elevated risks

While the technology and techniques associated with TAVR have advanced over the years, treating patients who present with baseline atrial fibrillation is still associated with certain risks.

‘A significant step forward’: Advocates cheer as heart health bill passes Senate

The HEARTS Act is focused on improving cardiomyopathy education and awareness while getting more AEDs in schools. The ACC, AHA and other medical societies have supported the bipartisan bill, which now heads to the president's desk to be signed into law.

Acutus Medical, the California-based healthcare technology company focused on electrophysiology devices, has announced significant downsizing that will cut its workforce by approximately 70%. The goal of the move is to focus exclusively on manufacturing and distributing left-heart access devices as part of a distribution deal with Medtronic that was first signed in 2022.

Medical device company cuts 70% of staff in push to meet Medtronic obligations

California-based Acutus Medical has said its ongoing agreement to manufacture and distribute left-heart access devices for Medtronic is the company's only source of revenue. 

FDA approves new short-term treatment for AFib, atrial flutter in critical care settings

Landiolol, sold by AOP Health under the brand name Rapiblyk, is an intravenous treatment designed to start working right away.

Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) with the Watchman FLX device from Boston Scientific is associated with positive outcomes and limited adverse events after one year, according to new findings published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions.[1] Many prior Watchman FLX studies, including PINNACLE FLX, had focused on the device’s performance in a controlled setting. The study’s authors hoped to gain a better understanding of its real-world impact by reviewing registry data from more than 97,000 U.S

LAAC with Watchman FLX reduces bleeding risks after AFib ablation

The new data, presented during AHA Scientific Sessions 2024, suggest LAAC with Boston Scientific's Watchman FLX could be a safe, effective alternative to OAC for limiting post-ablation strokes.

Immediate Past President of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Hadley Wilson, MD, FACC, executive vice chair of Atrium Health Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute and a clinical professor of medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, details the top late-breaking studies at AHA 2024. #AHA24 #AHA2024

9 key takeaways from AHA 2024 in Chicago

Hadley Wilson, MD, spoke to Cardiovascular Business at the three-day event to discuss key late-breaking studies and trends. Topics included new drug treatments, AI and much more.

Predicting sudden cardiac death after a heart attack may be impossible—for now

Researchers tried to crack the code, but they fell short time and time again. AI may offer potential as one way to finally find an answer, they added. 

heart surgery surgeons

Concomitant ablation surgery during heart operations boosts long-term survival

Treating AFib with surgical ablation during mitral valve surgery and other common heart operations can help patients live longer, a new meta-analysis confirmed.

Around the web

Several key trends were evident at the Radiological Society of North America 2024 meeting, including new CT and MR technology and evolving adoption of artificial intelligence.

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.